Mycomya sp. (genus)

11 A fungus gnat at Paddys River, ACT

Mycomya sp. (genus) at Paddys River, ACT - 2 Aug 2022
Mycomya sp. (genus) at Paddys River, ACT - 2 Aug 2022
Mycomya sp. (genus) at Paddys River, ACT - 2 Aug 2022
Mycomya sp. (genus) at Paddys River, ACT - 2 Aug 2022
Mycomya sp. (genus) at Paddys River, ACT - 2 Aug 2022
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Identification history

Mycomya sp. (genus) 11 Aug 2022 michaelb
Mycetophilidae (family) 10 Aug 2022 michaelb
Sciaridae sp. (family) 9 Aug 2022 RobG1

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User's notes

I was looking to see the labellum on this Bunochilus, but it had been triggered. I could see some legs poking out, and as I watched, this fungus gnat finally crawled free of the labellem and galea. Once free, it was persistently trying to get back at the labellum which was still triggered. I watched it for around 45 minutes, but the labellum didn't reset in this time.

6 comments

HelenCross wrote:
   9 Aug 2022
Wow - great observation Rob!
MattM wrote:
   10 Aug 2022
@TobiasHayashi may be of interest to you.
michaelb wrote:
   11 Aug 2022
Hi @RogerF maybe you would like to see this one.
RogerF wrote:
   11 Aug 2022
Have been checking greenhoods and helmets for fungus gnats with colleagues for the past year and this is one of the best pictures to emerge of sexual deceit of the males. Tobias has a movie of the process on YouTube.
TobiasHayashi wrote:
   11 Aug 2022
Nice one! Yep this one is a male of the genus Mycomya, this is one species I looked at during my PhD
michaelb wrote:
   11 Aug 2022
Thanks guys

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Nearby sightings

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 2 Aug 2022 11:42 AM Recorded on
  • RobG1 Recorded by

Additional information

  • Bunochilus montanus Associated plant
  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size
  • Male Gender
  • Breeding behaviour Breeding behaviour

Species information

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  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
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